ROBERTSVILLE REVIEW
January 2020
Message from the Principal
Greetings Ram Fam and Happy New Year!
The second semester is off and running, and we look forward to a great 2020. I am amazed each time that I write to you how fast our school year is flying by.
The free and reduced lunch applications have been mentioned several times. This was recently sent home to specific families that have not returned a form. As a reminder, we ask that you please complete the form and return it as a part of our Provision 2 Free Lunch and Breakfast Program. It is necessary that we receive these applications back in order for us to keep this program for next year. Please be assured that every effort will be made to keep your information confidential.
As we look back on our first semester, I want to celebrate some of our accomplishments. Our TE 21 benchmark reported continued gains in the area of math for our students. The number of students scoring in the On-Track and Mastered categories has increased by more than 10 percentage points in most of our tested areas. This is a major cause for celebration. In addition, we continue to track below our number of students that are labeled as chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year) as compared to last year. We must remain diligent to ensure that our students are present in school each day possible, as research indicated that students who are chronically absent are more likely to drop out before completing high school.
In looking at the upcoming semester, I hope that you will make plans to attend STEM Night on February 13, from 5:30-7:30. We continue to expand this night and will be offering free pizza for guests, along with great prizes. STEM Night promises to be an excellent night of student and family engagement.
Thank you again for your support this year. As always, if you have any concerns regarding your student, please contact the RMS front office.
Calendars
Classroom Spotlight
8th Grade - Scott Hinton
Fun facts:
Also RMS Athletic Director along with teaching. Married, have 2 kids (Hunter, a 6th grader at RMS, and Hayden a Kindergartener at Glenwood. Traveled to Pinehurst, NC twice and have played Pinehurst #2 where US Opens have been played.
Classes Taught:
American History
Noteworthy Classroom Activities, Events, PBLs, and/or Service Projects:
We have had a fun year so far in American History covering the road to Independence, the American Revolution and the system of American Government. Students completed a PBL on the Bill of Rights in November and presented in class.
7th Grade - David Scott
Fun facts:
Great family—2 fun dogs-like to mountain bike and hike –read-go to concerts-go to mtns and beach
Classes Taught:
Social Studies/GIVE CLUB/ORHS Girls Basketball
Noteworthy Classroom Activities, Events, PBLs, and/or Service Projects:
Continuing to work with students on phase 2 of the M Jeter Honor Gardens (retired teachers) plus the veggie and flower gardens.
6th Grade - Laura Scott
Fun facts:
I am the advisor for the RMS Ski & Snowboard Club.
I am learning how to fly fish.
I am a Cleveland Indians superfan.
Classes Taught:
Language Arts
Noteworthy Classroom Activities, Events, PBLs, and/or Service Projects:
We began our new semester with a PBL activity inspired by an essay contest advertised by community organizations NAACP and Oak Ridge Youth Council. The essay theme is: The Power of Voting: How Would You Encourage a Family Member to Vote? In order to build our background knowledge for the essay, we did a short research project based on the problem that not everyone who has the right to vote actually votes. We worked in small groups to research and come up with solutions for this problem and each group presented their ideas. We focused on the four C’s of STEM learning: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. My students impressed me with some excellent ideas!
The 6th grade is very pleased to welcome our newest team member, Mrs. Merideth Lawson. Although we all mourn Ms. Easterday’s retirement, we are delighted to have Mrs. Lawson with us as part of the Language Arts team.
6th grade had an absolute blast participating in the Ram Relays. The entire 6th grade is super proud that we won the attendance competition for the second grading period, which means we get an ice cream party!!!
5th Grade - JasonNussbaum
Fun facts:
I have four children. I grew up in Ohio – Go Buckeyes! I love to golf and play basketball.
Classes Taught:
Math
Noteworthy Classroom Activities, Events, PBLs, and/or Service Projects:
One of the things that we strive to do in class is incorporate as much technology to help assist in the instruction in that takes place in class. We use websites such as Mastery Connect, FlipGrid, Quizziz, GimKit, and Kahoot to help further our understanding. Later this year as we prepare for our BizTown PBL, we will work on opening a pizza shop!
News, Updates and other Highlights
Family STEM Night 2020
Spelling Bee Results
On Monday, January 13, Robertsville Middle School hosted its annual spelling bee. 80 students participated in the contest. After 17 rounds, 7th grader Zen Bennett correctly spelled the word assertion to win the bee. 7th grader Eurydice Delmau placed second. Zen qualifies for the regional bee to be held later this spring.
Geography Bee Results
7th Grade Update
RMS Basketball
Oak Ridge , was actually ahead of more publicized places such as Clinton and Little Rock , regarding desegregation. One major issue these two players had to deal with, was for away games, the school where they were playing had to agree to let them play.
The RMS teams will be wearing red shooting shirts with Fred Guinn and Lawrence Graham on the back and a logo that encourages us to look at the past to help us see how we arrived to where we are today.
Yearbook Information
The 2020 RMS yearbook is now on sale at www.yearbookordercenter.com. The current price is $15. After January 24, 2020, the cost will rise to $20.
To order, go to www.yearbookordercenter.com, enter our school code (17202) or search for Robertsville, and then follow the steps. Optional upgrades such as name stamping and plastic covers are available online only. Order and pay for your yearbook with a credit or debit card. Cost of yearbooks online goes up to $20 AFTER JANUARY 24, 2020.
Yearbooks will be distributed in May 2020. IF AVAILABLE on distribution day, extra yearbooks will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis for $20 (CASH ONLY).
Questions? Contact RMS Yearbook Sponsor Lauren Mayes at lemayes@ortn.edu.
8th Grade Yearbook Ads: Deadline Extended!
Parents of 8th graders, there is still time to purchase an ad to honor your child in the yearbook. Ads are one eighth of a page and cost $40. To purchase an ad, send cash or a check (made out to RMS) to school by Friday, January 31st. No orders will be accepted after this date. Ads should include a picture and a short message to your student. Send your picture and message to Mrs. Mayes at lemayes@ortn.edu.
RMS Club List for 2019-2020
Chess Club
Chess club meets on Tuesdays from 2:45 to 3:45 September through April.
In February we will meet on the 11th, 18th, and 25th. There is no Meeting February 4th.
GIVE Club
Strive for 5
Robertsville has implemented a "Strive for 5" initiative, asking students and families to strive to keep absences down to 5 or less during the course of the school year.
Which grade can maintain the highest average attendance rate?!
Current standings:
5th - 94.4%
6th - 95%
7th - 93.8%
8th - 92.9%
Testing Date Reminders
- TE21 ELA and Math Benchmark - March 4, 2020
- TCAP Window: April 13 – May 8, 2019
Canvas Parent Accounts
About Robertsville
Robertsville Middle School Vision Statement:
To be a great school
Mission Statement:
Every child will be successful
Belief Statement:
- We believe all students can grow academically.
- We believe in a safe and secure learning environment.
- We believe that our school culture is built on respect.
- We believe in teacher collaboration in conjunction with community resources to provide students support.
Contact Information
Phone Numbers
Main Office: 865-425-9201
Counseling Center: 865-425-9202
Library & Computer Help Desk: 865-425-9153
Instructional Technology Coach: 865-425-9214
Cafeteria: 865-425-9235
Clinic: 865-425-9196
Fax Numbers
Main Office: 865-425-9247
Counseling Center: 865-425-9236
Website: www.ortn.edu/robertsville
Location: 245 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
Phone: 8654259201
Twitter: @RMSortn